COVID-19 testing at Abby H.S. on Friday
The Wisconsin National Guard will be providing drive-through and walk-up style COVID-19 nasal swab testing at the Abbotsford High School parking lot, 307 N. 4th Ave., on Friday, May 29, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Marathon and Clark county health departments are coordinating the event with the National Guard to provide the tests for free.
No appointments are necessary. Anyone five years and older with any current symptoms are eligible for testing. Symptoms include fever, cough, loss of taste/ smell, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting or nausea, chills, and/or muscle aches. Individuals getting testing should be prepared to provide a current address, county of residence, and phone number when they arrive for testing.
Testing will be provided first come, first serve, and attendees may experience a wait. All modes of transportation (cars, horse drawn buggies, etc.) must form a line while waiting for testing. People must remain in their modes of transportation for testing, and no restroom facilities will be available on site, so residents are asked to plan accordingly. Walk-up testing will be provided as well, and will also be done on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The National Guard will be performing a nasal swab to test patients for COVID-19. They will be in uniform and in full PPE (personal protective equipment including gowns, mask, gloves, etc.) during this event. Individuals will be contacted with results within three to five days.
There are two main goals for this event. 1. Provide local communities with mass testing. 2. Give public health officials better insight into how widespread COVID-19 is in these local communities. Following this event, the county health departments will continue to support local healthcare providers as they continue building their capacity to meet patient demand.
“Anyone who gets tested who has symptoms will be asked to self-quarantine until they receive their results.” said Joan Theurer, Marathon County health offi cer. “The test is quick, easy and free for the public.”
Following testing, people should return straight home and follow the instructions given at the testing site, which include self-quarantine until the test results are returned. Test results will be provided via phone by the National Guard or the Department of Health Services.
If you have questions or immediate needs related to COVID-19, call 2-1-1 or text COVID-19 to 211211. For upto- date information, visit the Marathon County Health Department website and Facebook page.
This situation continues to evolve rapidly. For the latest information, visit the CDC’s coronavirus website, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website, or the Marathon County Health Department webpage or on Facebook.
